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Living With a Nut Allergy
Allergic reaction to nuts can progress rapidly to anaphylaxis. Peanut allergy is responsible for more deaths than any other type of allergy.
If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly avoiding nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts like cashews and walnuts, and food containing nuts is the only way to prevent a reaction. But, it is not always easy to avoid these foods since many unsuspecting products contain nuts.
Always check the label ingredients before you use a product. In addition, check the label each time you buy the product. Manufacturers occasionally change recipes, and a trigger food may be added to the new recipe. Also, keep in mind that many prepared foods, including baked goods, candy, and ethnic foods, can be contaminated with peanuts if products containing peanuts are prepared in the same place or by the same manufacturer. Always be prepared for this possibility and the risk of a reaction.
Examples of peanut and tree-nut products and foods that may contain them, include:
| Peanut Products | Peanut-Containing Ingredients | Tree Nuts | Tree Nut-Containing Ingredients | Nut-Containing Foods |
| Cold-pressed or expressed peanut oil Peanut butter Peanut flour |
Hydrolyzed plant protein Hydrolyzed vegetable protein |
Almonds Brazil nuts Cashews Chestnuts Filberts Hazelnuts Hickory nuts Macadamia nuts Pecans Pine nuts Pistachios Walnuts |
Marzipan / almond paste Nougat Artificial nuts Nut butters (such as cashew butter and almond butter) Nut oil Nut paste (such as almond paste) Nut extracts (such as almond extract) |
Ground nuts Mixed nuts Chex mix Artificial nuts Nougat African, Chinese, Thai, and other ethnic dishes Cookies, candy, pastries, and other baked goods Grain breads Ice cream, frozen desserts High-energy bars Cereals and granola Salad dressing Marzipan |
Tree nuts are sometimes used in lotions and shampoos. Be sure to check labels of these products, as well as food labels.
People who have peanut allergies should avoid the use of the inhaler Atrovent.
WebMD Medical Reference
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